Travel – Mamanista!Fabulously Chic. Irresistably Practical.2017-12-13T20:16:14Zhttp://www.mamanista.com/feed/atomWordPresshttp://www.mamanista.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Mamanista-Favicon.pngMamanistahttp://mamanista.comhttp://www.mamanista.com/?p=110382017-01-17T06:39:25Z2016-09-09T23:51:35ZShare Your Photo and You Could Win $10,000 in the Honey Bunches of Oats Sweeps

Disclosure- I received compensation in order to facilitate this post. This is a sponsored post in cooperation with Honey Bunches of Oats and Family Forward. All opinions are my own and honest.

Our family was really in need of a fun vacation after our crazy summer – and thankfully, just in time for the Family Forward Retreat at Lowes Royal Pacific Hotel at Universal Orlando. We had such a great time as a family! Although our kids are still young, they grow up entirely too fast. So getting to spend time with them on fun vacations is something everyone should really take the time to do!

If you have kids, especially kids that are still young, you completely understand when I say that having things that are quick and easy to eat both at home and on the go – like vacation – are really important. And we all know that one of the most important things that we do is eat breakfast. It is the most vital meal of the day! So we were excited to hear that breakfast at the Family Forward retreat was sponsored by Honey Bunches Of Oats!

Honey Bunches of Oats comes in 12 different flavors – our absolute favorite is strawberry, which also happens to be one of the most popular, right in line with Honey Roasted and Almond. With so many different tastes and textures found in Honey Bunches of Oats – from the crispy flakes to the distinctive crunchy oat clusters and you can’t forget – the sweet touch of honey – there’s an option for everyone! Honey Bunches of Oats is a breakfast option that isn’t just one, plain, basic flavor. It is full of so many good things!

So needless to say – we were all happy to get a great start to our day with a cereal we already know and love before we headed off to spend some awesome, and much needed, time with friends and family!

They had all of the Honey Bunches of Oats varities for us to taste test that morning as they launched the “THIS.IS.EVERYTHING.TM” campaign to celebrate the multiplicity of tastes and textures found in Honey Bunches of Oats. The campaign includes new television ads, featuring a mash-up of iconic images with current pop-culture memes, to relay the timelessness of the brand and the multi-sensory experience.

Fun Fact: The Honey Bunches of Oats cereal was created by lifelong Post employee Vernon J. Herzing by mixing several Post’s cereals together and having his daughter taste them. I think it is pretty awesome that he included his family in this! Honey Bunches of Oats was then introduced to markets in 1989 after three years of development.

I had so much fun picking photos for my Honey Bunches of Oats THIS.IS.EVERYTHING. Starring You video! Check out my video.

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For more information on Honey Bunches of Oats, check out the social media links below.

]]>1Debbiehttp://mamanista.comhttp://www.mamanista.com/?p=109902017-01-17T07:42:49Z2016-07-06T00:39:52ZDisclosure- I received free tickets to the park in order to facilitate this review. This is a sponsored post in cooperation with Pepsi. All opinions are my own and honest.

Now that summer is here, and the heat is definitely on, the sweetest place on Earth aka Hershey Park in nearby Hershey, Pa is a great place to visit. You smell the chocolate as soon as you arrive- but even before you get there, the Hershey Kiss light posts are a giveaway that you are getting close. Hershey Park is open from 10 am to 10 pm, and there is a lot to pack into that time frame.

From the park itself to Hershey Gardens and of course Hershey’s Chocolate World and The Hershey Store Museum on Chocolate Avenue, there is a lot to see and do in one day. In face, we couldn’t. We stayed in the Hershey Lodge and enjoyed the new indoor waterpark, which for us was a great way to beat the heat when it got to be too much for us.

If you get the chance, take a walk in 23-acre botanical garden that includes a Children’s Garden and seasonal Butterfly House. Take a tour of Chocolate World as well- there is a cute indoor ride the kids will like while you are inside. You can make your own candy bars, but that’s extra if you wanted to do that. Hershey Park has 13 roller coasters and over 30 family friendly rides as well as a new water park area, “The Boardwalk” that is open during the summer months.

There are special rides for the younger kids as well, so everyone can feel included. When you get thirsty, there are plenty of refueling stations from of Pepsi products, like the refreshing Pepsi Spire. This is the innovative digital beverage fountain, to inspire consumers to make their own flavor of their favorite Pepsi beverages with totally customizable creations. Pepsi Spire is a sleek, innovative beverage fountain that puts hundreds of drink combinations at people’s fingertips. Pepsi Spire can pour up to three flavor shots simultaneously (think: lemon, vanilla, cherry and more), with fan-favorite beverages, like Mountain Dew, Pepsi or Brisk Iced Tea.

Pepsi can be found everywhere in the park as new Pepsimojis, Pepsi emoji statues that coincide with the brand new global PepsiMoji campaign inviting consumers to #SayItWithPepsi – We’d love to see you #SayitWithPepsi as well by snapping some photos of the fun installations (tagged with #sayitwithpepsi).

We’d love to see photos from your visit- make sure you tag us when you post, and tell us how much fun you and your family had.

Did you know? Children who play outside are more creative, have lower stress levels and more active imaginations. They also become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, and have greater respect for themselves and others as well as the environment.

It is easy to get caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle of crazy schedules, work, school, and technology. But it is so important to take hold of those small moments and enjoy what nature has given us, especially with your children. Technology may be a great learning tool, but so is nature. You can google the sound of birds, what kind of fish are in local waters, and what kinds of flowers grow in certain habitats. But nothing can replace hearing those birds in person, catching that first fish, or taking a deep breath and smelling those flowers.

With all of the new technologies and overscheduling of today’s world, it’s easy to forget just how close—and how important— your local forest or green space really is for your kids! There are many developmental benefits for children who spend time in nature, and it’s closer than you think.

Spending time in nature can spark the imagination of kids of all ages. Even then, after aimlessly wandering into hectic schedules, technology overload, and the never ending busy world around us, adults, like ourselves might find a spark of creativity in exploring the outdoors. So get up, get out of the house, and get outside!

Saturday, September 26th, is National Public Lands Day! This is a day to encourage your family, friends and colleagues to enjoy your local #Naturehood. What is #Naturehood, you ask? It is the forest that is right in your neighborhood, and you may not even know it. Beyond the swings, slides and clearings, there are trails, trees, wildlife and water just waiting for you.

Forests are magical places. It’s easy to forget that as you age- the world around you can begin to feel more and more ordinary. Find your local #Naturehood by visiting discovertheforest.org today. It’s time to reclaim your child’s imagination.

See adventure in the everyday. Find your local #Naturehood by visiting discovertheforest.org today. It’s time to reclaim your child’s imagination.

Forests the size of your backyard are transformed into fantasy worlds through our kids’ eyes—because when they’re small, everything is big. Find your local #Naturehood by visiting discovertheforest.org today.

I will be joining the Twitter chat tomorrow! Join me and get the word out! Join @Cheecker for a fun Twitter Party celebrating National Public Lands Day with the US Forest Service at 1pm ET on September 25th. Follow #ForestChat to join the conversation.

]]>0Lizahttp://www.mamanista.com/?p=106232017-01-17T08:35:47Z2014-12-16T18:01:31ZI remember it all like it was yesterday: the Google searching, the book reading, the asking for recommendations, the dreaming of all the fancy pants items that celebrities have for their kids, as I cradled my baby bump and selected item after nonsensical item on my registry. My baby shower was just gorgeous and I was fortunate enough to receive TONS of stuff for my baby boy (the luckiest boy in the world). Fast Forward to when I delivered, brought the baby home, and donated about 75% of the stuff I purchased, was gifted, accumulated, etc. over those 9 months. Because guess what? Most of the stuff I THOUGHT I needed, the stuff I myself bought, the stuff I asked for on my registry, the stuff I ordered online in haste and anticipation, was TOTALLY USELESS.

My friends are now pregnant with their first babies, including my sister-in-law, and they kept asking me what stuff they should get because after two years (my son is now TWO. TWO!!) I about saw it all, tried it all, and I could care less what a label says. I know what works on my son and what didn’t.

So as my Holiday Gift to You (and to my gorgeous glowing friends and sister-in-law) I am sharing my favorites, both practical and fun, because taking care of a newborn is hard enough without worrying about what you need. Stock up on these items, and you’ll be good to go.

American Red Cross Grooming Kit: This fabulous little kit contains everything you need for taking care of baby, from a thermometer to a soft bristle comb, to the MOST IMPORTANT ITEM OF THE KIT: the nail clippers. Ask any new mom her biggest fear, and cutting nails will be at the top of the list. I filed Johnny’s with a small nail file from the pharmacy at first, but then when it came time to really cut, these clippers saved my life, never cut his skin, and we use them till this day. *NOTE: Get rid of the magnifying glass thingie because all it does is get in the way and you can’t see anything in it)

Baby Contours Classique 3-in-1 Wood Bassinet: By now you’ve probably seen all the gorgeous, frilly, non-frilly, oval, curtains, sans-curtains bassinets on the market, all of which look good in theory but have zero practicality. This 3-in-1 Wood Bassinet may not look like the most beautiful bassinet you’ve ever seen, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in total comfort and ease for both you and baby. It features a full-size bassinet, removable Moses basket and changing table (though to be honest I never tried the changing table aspect, I just changed him inside the bassinet). What I loved most about this was the WHEELS (WHEELS!!) so I could move him from room to room with ease, AND it has this incredible deluxe hanging organizer to stock up on diapers, diaper cream, bottles, extra onesies & receiving blankets, you name it. The mattress/pad was also both comfortable (so he made it seem) and worry-free: nothing fluffy at all, it was firm and safe, which as we all know is key to prevent SIDS. I alternated between a bassinet sheet and a thin king-size pillow case as a pad cover.

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Travel Kit: Call it total paranoia, but I put this travel first-aid kit in my diaper bag and it’s stayed there ever since. You may not need this when your baby is first born (thank the Lord) but it will come in handy down the road when you need band-aids, antiseptic wipes, Neosporin (or Tylenol for yourself). First time my son had a cut at the park, I was overjoyed at the one thing I planned well for: a disastrous scrape. You’ll be thankful too! I love the travel version because not only will it fit nicely in your diaper bag or inside your changing table at home, but it has just enough essentials to keep you calm in an emergency.

Skip Hop Special Edition Diaper Bag: There are way too many diaper bag brands to keep track of, and most of them are beyond frustrating to use for little things like changing your baby and holding all of their stuff. This is the only bag you’ll ever need, start to finish. As with every Duo Diaper Bag, a changing pad is included for on-the-go convenience. Magnetic closures on both the exterior bottle pockets and a zip on the main compartment ensure everything stays in its place. An interior bottle pocket and two side pockets keep diapers, bottles and parent must-haves organized while out and about. Plus, the wipe-clean surface helps protect against any small spills or dirt that may come your way. Not to mention it comes in super cute patterns so you’ll confidently cart your baby’s things looking like the hot mom that you are.

Johnson & Johnson Travel Size Head to Toe Wash& Baby Lotion: The number one piece of advice I give to every new mom is: ALWAYS carry baby wash in your bag. I have lost count of how many blow-outs Johnny had while we were at the grocery store, a restaurant, in the car, visiting grandma, at the pediatrician, on the PLANE. You name it, he’s pooped there. And so will your baby. Nothing saves your sanity more than grabbing your mini bottle of baby wash and washing those cute little tushies clean in a public bathroom sink. You’re smirking now, but so am I, because it will happen to you. I didn’t even include a link here because you can get this for 99 cents at your local pharmacy or Target. You can also include some travel lotion to smooth those tushies up after cleaning, as well as at least 2 receiving blankets in your bag to dry them up (or catch dribble, or milk, or vomit, or lay on top of your changing pad in a public bathroom changing table…the possibilities are endless).

Graco Snugride Classic Connect Infant Car Seat: With so many car seats on the market, it’s pretty difficult to pick the right one, and even more difficult to find one that’s both safe, comfortable and (dare we say it) not an eye-sore. But we were lucky to have found the Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat (in Platinum, as shown here). Equipped with a 5-point harness, an ergonomic carrying handle, a stay-in-car base, a canopy, and an infant head rest for added comfort and support, this SnugRide® infant car seat will serve you and your baby well. This model SnugRide® infant car seat also has GracoPedic™ foam for luxurious comfort, an all weather boot with blanket for added warmth, and a double infant head support with comfy harness covers. Plus, harness straps that adjust at the front of the car seat make getting your baby in and out even easier. And, when your baby is snug inside, you can keep an eye on your little one thanks to the canopy peek-a-boo window. Another bonus: it’s SUPER LIGHT WEIGHT which you will appreciate when you have to cart the seat around on your forearm. I also loved the added comfort whenever we were visiting family because it was so easy to rock him to sleep in it. *BONUS: You can also buy the car seat adapter to click it in to your stroller, like this one here made to fit the UppaBaby Vista.

HALO Sleepsack Swaddle: I remember taking notes and nodding my head enthusiastically during both a parenting class and the nurse’s impromptu demonstration at the hospital all about swaddling my baby. I was all “THIS is so easy, I mean the demo doll just like goes right in, no problem. I’m going to get this. I got this.” What the classes fail to tell you is that your baby MOVES. A LOT. Like throws their little teeny arm right out of the blanket and cries. The HALO Sleepsack Swaddle was my savior. Not only did it contain him safe and sound in a swaddle position, but it replaces loose blankets in the crib that can cover your baby’s face and interfere with breathing. An adjustable swaddle wrap immobilizes your baby’s arms to prevent the “Moro” or startle reflex. It is the only 2-in-1 adjustable swaddle that allows for swaddling arms in or out for baby’s comfort, ensuring an easy and gentle transition to the SleepSack wearable blanket (another AMAZING invention). Size newborn fits 6-12 lbs, size small fits 13-18 lbs. I had about 6 of these in both cotton for fall and fleece for winter. I always had an extra one in the bottom of the bassinet to change him if he spit up or had an accident in one. I totally attribute the Sleepsack for helping my son (and my husband and I!) sleep through the night.

Galt Playnest & Gym Farm: This thing is the coolest, most entertaining AND practical item for baby. Think of it as a boppy and play mat in one. Galt’s Playnest Gym-Farm is a soft, supporting multi-sensory environment for your baby. The Playnest is a fabric-covered inflatable ring that supports your baby during rest time and makes play time even more fun. Your baby will love playing with the 4 engaging toys that come with the Gym-Farm. Use the colorful links to rearrange the toys at different heights on the overhead bar. The ring itself features 8 additional activities, with textures and sounds designed will engage your child’s attention and stimulate hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Galt has designed this Playnest to help promote your child’s physical and play development. The fabric cover has a soft, quilted center and is machine washable. I constantly gift this to friends and family, and everyone always wants to know where I got it from. It’s fun for baby and helps mommy keep her sanity when she’s trying to clean, work, pee, etc. because baby stays safely inside and has a blast.

Corolle BabiCorolle Elf Dolls: I have been a fan of Corolle since I was 4 years old. The premium doll brand designed in France, Corolle makes beautiful dolls for children ages 0-4. Their newborn collection, BabiCorolle, offers snuggly soft first dolls for your baby, boy or girl. The elf dolls are a personal favorite (they RATTLE!!!), and come in various colors and styles like Elf Pink Cotton Flower and Elf Blue Stars. The dolls are machine-washable, rattle when you jiggle them, super safe (as your baby licks, sucks and drools all over it, you’ll see!) and encourage pulling and grabbing to strengthen coordination. Must have.

Triple Paste Diaper Cream: Every Mom has their own personal favorite brand of diaper cream, until I tell them about Triple Paste. This is hands down the BEST CREAM you can buy. My son (he’s two now. TWO!) has never ever ever ever had a rash because I saturated his tushie with this stuff from day one. Every diaper change, every bath, every time. He came close to a rash when a horrible stomach flu was going around and this nipped it in the bud in one afternoon. I always buy the 16 oz. giant size tub and keep it on his changing table, and have the smaller tube (found in most grocery stores) in the diaper bag. I’m telling you. This is your answer.

UppaBaby Vista Stroller: My Dad called this the “Cadillac of Strollers” and he wasn’t joking. The VISTA is a convertible stroller system that can transport up to three children – without growing wider. Designed to adapt as your family grows, the VISTA accommodates your precious cargo from birth through the toddler years. I used the bassinet attachment the first few months walking around my neighborhood because it was so wonderful to let him sleep and watch the sky, absolutely comfortable soft mattress inside, and the sturdiest, widest wheels you could ask for. It’s a dream to push. I used the adapter when I took him around on errands because it was great to keep him in his car seat, clip that out of the car, then into the base of the Vista and go shopping. Now that we’re into the toddler attachment, it’s still just as cool and easy. It’s an eye-catcher, and super pricey, but given the ease of use, incredible quality and longevity (heck you can even strap 2 more kids in this thing when you want more!) it’s totally worth it.

Boppy: This is a go-to on everyone’s list, and one of the few things I actually registered for that was incredibly, amazingly useful. Not only is it fantastic if you breast-feed, but just overall helpful to prevent the “tennis-elbow-like soreness” that you get once you’re carrying around an 8lbs+ human. It’s incredibly soft and comfortable, and was also the first thing we used to help Johnny’s tummy time exercises and propping time. He loved being able to sit up and watch us. I always had 2-3 slipcovers on hand because again, spit-ups, overall dirt and grime etc. so having an extra cover was a lifesaver while we threw the other in the washing machine. BONUS: he still plays with it today, so you’ll always find a use for it.

Munchkin High Speed Bottle Warmer: Whether you’re planning on breastfeeding or going the formula route like I did, having a bottle warmer in the house is a MUST. There is nothing worse (NOTHING) than when you have to get up at 2am, exhausted, stumbling into the kitchen and start boiling water in a pot old-school style to warm up your baby’s pre-made (or sometimes NOT) bottle of refridgerator cold formula or breast milk as he/she screams bloody murder for milk. An easy-to-use bottle warmer that truly saves precious time, the High Speed Bottle Warmer can warm a bottle in as little as 90 seconds. The built-in measuring cup, lift-out basket and adapter ring makes warming bottles more convenient. I loved that I never ever had to worry if I made it too hot because the timer took the guesswork out for me (I checked, of course, on my wrist after warming every time, and it was always lukewarm, ie perfect for baby).

Being a new Mama is hard enough, but hopefully these tips and recommendations will help you focus on what’s really important: bonding with your baby. Good luck! You GOT THIS!

]]>0Debbiehttp://mamanista.comhttp://www.mamanista.com/?p=104752014-10-23T15:22:33Z2014-10-22T18:19:45ZMy husband and I “celebrated” our 14th wedding anniversary with leftovers and some Netflix, but we weren’t always this boring. Before our first child arrived in 2008, we’d traveled to Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, France, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, Disney World, and numerous Caribbean islands. We had romantic meals in fine restaurants. We made time for each other.

Everything changed with the births of our boys in 2008 and 2011. The couples-only vacations were but a distant memory, and the romantic meals involved a babysitter and a lot of planning. Balancing a full-time job and motherhood was exhausting. I wanted a vacation, but mommy-guilt afflicted me. My children missed me when I was working. How could I possibly vacation without them?

My last vacation with my husband was in 2008 during my first pregnancy. On a luxury Alaskan cruise, we hiked a glacier, went sightseeing via helicopter and took thousands of photos of whales and other Alaskan wonders. Over the last seven years, my husband hasn’t been interested in travel, claiming it would be too stressful with two little boys.

I, on the other hand, love travel. As a child and teen, I traveled extensively with my parents. My early career was spent earning 100,000+ annual frequent flier miles while working at companies such as Travelocity and Expedia. Since my husband wasn’t willing to travel, I convinced my mother to join me and the boys on trips to Disney World and Disney Land as well as several Caribbean cruises. My boys have learned to love travel as much as I do, but I felt sad that their father was missing out on these memories.

I’m a huge Disney fan, so I love visiting the Disney Parks as much as my boys do. Since my husband has never been a theme-park lover, I could understand why he wasn’t willing to come with us. But I was baffled when he wasn’t interested in going on a family cruise. I’ve taken dozens of cruises, and I adore the convenience and the all-inclusive pricing. Cruises even have free childcare available! My husband had enjoyed the cruises we took together, so what was stopping him? The answer: cabin size. He didn’t want to be “trapped” in a small cabin for a week with two small children. I’ll admit that he has a point as there isn’t much “privacy” if you are sharing a cabin with your children.

I’ve been on a quest to find a family vacation destination that appeals to my husband, so I was excited to receive an invitation to attend the Social Media On The Sand Conference at Beaches: Turks and Caicos. I’ve been curious about Beaches Resorts for years. In 2008, I wrote a post about why I loved Sandals Resorts and wanted to visit Beaches Resorts now that I had children. At the time, I was a new mom and wrote that the “thought of leaving baby at home while I go off on a romantic getaway with my husband gives me a panic attack. I don’t think I’ll be ready to take a vacation sans baby for many years to come.”

Well, it’s been many years, and my husband and I haven’t taken a single weekend away. While we’ve both traveled for work, one of us has always been home with the boys. I knew we needed time to reconnect, so I jumped at the opportunity to attend #BeachesMoms. My parents volunteered to watch the boys while we spent three nights at the beautiful Beaches Resort in the Turks and Caicos.

Photo by Beaches Resorts

I’ll confess that I had an ulterior motive. I was hoping to show my husband how relaxing an all-inclusive vacation at a Beaches Resort could be. I wanted to point out how spacious the rooms were and show him the great activities available in the childcare program (Camp Sesame). My ultimate goal was to convince him to return for a future vacation as a family, which would combine romance and family-time.

Our room, located in the Key West Luxury Village, passed his inspection. The “Key West Grand Luxe Concierge Room” category is located on the third floor of the “Veranda House.” With two bathrooms, a separate bedroom for parents and a trundle daybed in the sitting area, the room was spacious enough for a family of four. Our balcony overlooked the grounds of the resort.

Beaches Resorts has four villages (Key West, Caribbean, Italian and French) and 19 restaurants and bars. Since we were traveling without children, we chose the two adults-only restaurants for our dinners: Le Petit Chateau (French food) and Sapodilla’s (Caribbean food). At Sapodilla’s, our favorites were the Coconut Tiger Prawns and the Conch and King Crab Angallati with Parmesan Cream, Prosciutto and Brown Butter as an appetizer. Le Petit Chateau was my favorite restaurant, and we dined there twice. Everything was so delicious that it’s hard to narrow down my recommendations. For entrees, I highly recommend the Lobster Thermidor and the Filet Mignon. My husband enjoyed the Roasted Lamb Loin and the Molten Chocolate Cake.

Le Petit Chateau, Photo Credit: Beaches Resorts

Since we only stayed for three nights, we didn’t have a chance to try all of the restaurants although we certainly tried! Here are my other recommendations:

Quick Service:

Bella Napoli Pizzeria is the perfect lunch by the pool. This made-to-order wood-fired pizza was tasty. While we enjoyed the classic margherita pizza, the chef also pushed us to sample the Jamaican Style Jerked Chicken Pizza with Mango and the Local Conch Pizza with Red Onions, Island Peppers and Cherry Tomatoes. I’m so glad we did because they were fantastic!

My husband made frequent trips to Cafe de Paris for iced and frozen espresso coffee drinks made with Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, and he also indulged in the delicious pastries. (Vacations are not for dieting!)

A La Carte Dining: If I were traveling with children, I might have opted to visit the buffet restaurants for the speed and convenience. But I prefer a la carte dining because it is so relaxing to be served when I’m normally the one running around and serving everyone during meals at home.

If you enjoy British ales and food, don’t miss The Cricketers Pub. The Shepherds Pie and Fish N Chips were excellent as was the Newcastle Ale, and I was happy to see that Cricketers offered chicken nuggets for couples dining with children.

We had a relaxing lunch with an ocean view at Neptune’s Mediterranean Seafood. After I discovered that every restaurant has a “specialty cocktail,” I was on a mission to sample as many as possible. My favorite cocktail discovery was the Rosemary at Neptune’s. This mix of gin, club soda, lime juice and rosemary was perfection, and I plan to recreate it at home!

As we enjoyed all of these delicious meals, my husband and I had a chance to focus exclusively on each other without any distractions from our children. While I missed the children, it was so refreshing to have some time to reconnect as a couple over a relaxing meal and a shared adventure. Beaches offers free water sports. While our short trip didn’t give us enough time for snorkeling and diving, we couldn’t resist sailing together. (My husband is an experienced sailor, but the helpful staff at Beaches Resorts will give lessons if needed.) Sailing offered stunning views of the 12 mile long white sand beach as well as the turquoise waters. It also offered a thrill as we had to maneuver quickly back to shore when we saw a thunderstorm rolling in.

Thankfully, the storm passed within two hours, and I had time to explore the 45,000 square foot waterpark. I know how much my boys love visiting the waterpark at Sesame Place, so I wanted to see how Beaches compared. The Pirates Island themed aqua-playground has nine slides, with options for adults/big kids as well as toddlers. The surf simulator seemed popular with the tweens and teens as well as several adventurous dads, but I preferred the lazy river. My worries washed away as I floated along the lazy river enjoying the beautiful weather in the Turks and Caicos. For “research purposes,” I tried the three largest slides. They were fast-paced without being too scary, and I know my six year old would love them. The photo below shows one of the smaller slides, which would appeal to my preschooler.

Photo by Beaches Resorts

I loved the lazy river, and I know my boys would have a blast at the Beaches waterpark too.

Splashing around at the waterpark, walking along the beach at sunset and an unlimited supply of tropical drinks at the swim-up bar helped us remember the early days of our marriage. Since I own a small business, my work is quite demanding. I really want to spend my precious vacation time with my children, but I can’t deny the value of a couples-only trip. We’d gone too long without time alone and without the pressure of rushing home from a date night in time to relieve a babysitter.

Before we left, I checked out the childcare options at Beaches. The Kids Camp is included free and is staffed with certified nannies. The activity schedule for my children’s age group included sandcastle building, tie-dye t-shirt crafts, face painting, treasure hunts, and visits from Sesame Street characters. While I wouldn’t want to leave my children in the camp all day, I like the idea of reviewing the schedule with them to select activities that interest them. It seems like a perfect compromise for parents who want some time alone as well as quality time with their children.

How Much Does a Beaches Resort Vacation Cost Anyhow? Booking Information:

Disclosure: I visited Beaches to attend the Social Media on the Sand Conference, so I received a discounted conference rate as well as complimentary products from many sponsors such as Lands End and Iristocracy.

Since I’m interested in planning a future family vacation, I researched the current rates at Beaches Resort: Turks and Caicos. I arrived at the conference on Thursday October 16 and returned home on Sunday October 19. To get a comparable price, I just researched a Thursday-Sunday stay for October 30-November 3. Beaches is offering a last-minute deal with a 50% discount. The Key West Grand Luxe Concierge Room I stayed in would cost $2,202.90 for three nights for a family of four. With airfare from Philadelphia, our total costs for 3 nights would range from $5000-$6000.

A 7 night stay from October 30-November 6 in the Key West Grand Luxe Concierge Room would cost $7,024 for a family of four. With airfare from Philadelphia, our total cost would range from $9000-$10,000. I met a woman at the pool who visits Beaches every year with her husband and two daughters for a week. This was her 10th trip to Beaches Resorts, and she told me she tries to book during one of the promotions. Her total cost including airfare for four is typically around $10,000 for a week.

How Does the Cost of Beaches Resorts Compare with Cruising?

Out of curiosity, I priced a last-minute deal for a 7-night Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL). I found a cruise on the Norwegian Getaway from Miami for October 25-November 1. A Balcony-Level Room would cost $1556 for a family of four. If I opted for two adjoining staterooms, my total cost would be $2316. With airfare, my trip would range from $3500-$4500 depending on whether I booked one or two cabins.

Why Is Beaches More Expensive Than a Cruise? Or Is It?

When making a vacation decision, it’s important to compare apples to apples. Beaches Resorts costs more than a cruise, but it also includes more. I’m very familiar with cruising and with NCL (one of my favorite cruiselines), so I can point out some of the differences.

Drinks: Beaches Resorts includes alcoholic beverages as well as sodas and premium iced-coffee drinks. Most cruiselines have an additional cost for these drinks. On a typical cruise, I spend around $150 on drinks for two adults but typically limit it to 1 drink per day at dinner. At Beaches, I had at least one frozen coffee, two pina coladas and 1 glass of wine per day. On a typical cruise, this would cost around $500-$600 with gratuities.

Tips: Cruises charge an additional fee per day per person for gratuities. On NCL, the cost is $10 per person per day for adults and $5 per person per day for children. On a typical cruise, this would cost at least $210– but typically you want to tip even more for excellent service. I generally spend at least $300 for tips.

Transfers and Shore Excursions: At Beaches, there are no transportation costs from the airport to the resort. I typically spend at least $100 on round-trip airport transfers for a cruise. At Beaches, there is no need for a shore excursion or taxi to get to the beach. Additionally, admission to the waterpark, snorkeling and use of non-motorized watersports (sailboats, kayaks, etc) is included. Shore excursion costs can add up quickly, and I’ve taken cruises where the cost of my shore excursions exceeded the cost of the cruise. Most tours cost between $50-$150 per person on Caribbean cruises. There are extra fees for renting floats, beach umbrellas and chairs in port as well. While visiting a beach on a shore excursion, I typically spend money for bottled water and lunch (around $50 for a family of four).

Specialty Dining: The best meals on a cruise are typically in the specialty dining restaurants. One of my favorite specialty restaurants on NCL is Cagney’s Steakhouse, which has an additional cost of $30 per adult and $15 per child. I enjoyed the filet mignon at Le Petit Chateau at Beaches, which was included in our rate. I typically spend around $250 for specialty dining on a 7 day cruise.

Internet: Beaches Resorts provided free wifi to the bloggers attending the conference. The regular rate is $14.99 per day per device. Paying for internet service is one of my biggest travel pet peeves, so I was happy to hear that Beaches is going to start including internet at no costs to guests starting in December 2014. While I love cruising, the cost of internet is a factor. I typically pay $100 for 250 minutes, which I use on my laptop to keep up with work. While at sea, the internet service is a bit slower. Due to bandwidth issues, Skype is not available.

Total Cost: As you can see, it’s fairly easy to spend an extra $1500-$2500 (or more) on a cruise for extras like shore excursions, drinks, tips and dining. I estimated a total cost of $2316 for a 7 Day Cruise (2 adults, 2 children) in two adjoining cabins (for an amount of space/privacy comparable to Beaches). Total cost with estimated extras as described above would be around $4000-$5000, not including airfare. My estimate for 7 nights at Beaches Resorts is $7024, not including airfare.

So Is It Worth It to Visit Beaches Resorts?

We had a wonderful experience at Beaches, and it is more relaxing to vacation without worrying about the cost of extras. Would I have gone sailing if I knew it would cost an extra $150-$200? Probably not. Do I factor in the cost of a pina colada on a cruise before ordering one? Of course, I can’t help it.

Beaches is truly all-inclusive, which encouraged me to try new things (like that delicious Rosemary cocktail) without worrying about the price. With that said, a visit to a luxury all-inclusive resort like Beaches isn’t cheap. If it is within your budget, I would highly recommend a visit.

]]>1Mamanistahttp://mamanista.comhttp://www.mamanista.com/?p=103892017-01-17T08:27:11Z2014-09-04T20:09:53Z(Disclosure: I received a Toyota Venza to drive for week for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own)

My oldest son started first grade this week and that means I am out the door early with a car load of kid gear, booster seats and my own work items including laptop, lunch and layered jacket since our air conditioner is either too hot or too cold on any given day.

Despite a busy schedule, we did get to sneak away to the beach last week and it was a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy family time. With two small children, I have to fit a car seat and a booster into my back seat and then my husband and I in the front seats (and we are not short people) when we need to go anywhere. Oh, did I mention beach gear? Oh, the beach gear….

In light of all I need to get done in a day, here of the features I liked about the Toyota Venza I drove:

Economical: estimated 20 MPG (city); 26 MPG (Highway)

Weather Savvy: Available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) option has active torque control monitoring each wheel, automatically distributing engine power to the wheels with the most traction.

Overall, I enjoyed the roominess of the car and smooth action of driving it around town. My personal car had several popped tires from potholes this last horrible winter (as in, REALLY, AGAIN?!) and I love the big tires on this car. It has all the features I love in an SUV without actually looking or feeling as BIG as other vehicles I see my friends driving around. Awesome car.

To learn more about the new Venza, head over to the Toyota website to find a dealer near you.

Hurricane season is here (not to mention the crazy hail we saw this week) and New Yorkers have several resources available to them that you need to be aware of in case of emergency.

KNOW YOUR ZONE

To begin with, it’s important to Know Your Zone and therefore, the evacuation plan for your area. Resources are available on www.nyc.gov/knowyourzone including the hashtag #knowyourzone so you can keep informed and join the conversations via Twitter. Also on the website is information about the six hurricane evacuation zones, the hazards you may face from a hurricane and what to do to prepare.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

In prep for a real hurricane, here are several key steps to have your home and family ready:

Download the New York Hurricane guide that contains instructions on how to develop a hurricane disaster plan and secure your home before a storm as well as a map of New York City hurricane evacuation zones.

Participate in the Thunderclap “NYC- Do You Know Your Zone?” challenge. Through Thunderclap, your tweets, Facebook and Tumblr posts are captured to show larger the social impact of this effort to protect and prepare the New York community.

Stay safe!

]]>0Debbiehttp://mamanista.comhttp://www.mamanista.com/?p=98252017-01-17T03:00:10Z2014-03-12T18:31:03ZWho wants to WIN a 6-day, 5-night VIP trip to Kissimmee, Florida? Ok hands down everyone! Here’s how to enter:

No high-tech video equipment needed, you can use your smart phone and creativity to enter the Experience Kissimmee’s “Rock Your Vacation” video contest on Instagram.

In your vide, show how you and your “entourage” would Rock a Central Florida vacation and you could have the opportunity to enjoy adrenaline-pumping attractions and heart racing adventure, just moments from Orlando’s world-famous theme parks.

From now until March 16, entrants with an active and non-private Instagram account will be able to create and post an original 15-second video.

In order to qualify, entrants must follow @ExperienceKissimmee and use the #RockYourVacation hashtag on Instagram. Once the submission has been approved, Experience Kissimmee will post a comment on the Instagram video with a link. The user will go to that link to “verify” their entry and the video will appear in a video gallery on www.RockYourVacation.com.

Submissions will be judged based on overall creativity and general knowledge of the destination. From among those, the top 8 videos will be narrowed down throughout a public voting period of 3 weeks using a bracket system.

The grand-prize winner and their entourage of five will receive a 6-day, 5-night VIP trip, during which they will have the chance to experience the destination in a way they may have never done before! Their getaway will include a stay at an amazing vacation home provided by All-Star Vacation Homes, an SUV car rental for a week and a number of exclusive experiences. Talk about a dream family getaway!

Rock your heart rate by flying over hungry alligators on Gatorland’s Screamin’ Gator Zip line or during a rock concert at House of Blues. Meet your knight in shining armor at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament or get carried away on a hot air balloon taking in the sunrise and sights of Kissimmee from the air. Glide across the headwaters of the Everglades on an airboat tour at Wild Florida Airboat Rides or get soaked at SeaWorld Orlando.

All this and more can be done when vacationing in the popular Central Florida destination which hosts more than 6.5 million travelers annually. For more information on all the excitement, visit www.experiencekissimmee.com.

When my Disney Side @Home Celebration host box arrived on my doorstep, I practically screamed like a giddy little girl. And rightly so; the box was packed full of wonderful surprises and Disney goodness!

First out of the box, sheerly due to size, was a beautiful American Tourister suitcase! It’s the perfect size, a 20″ Skate Spinner suitcase, for my son to pack his things for our next trip or to use as a family carry on. It handles easily and is super lightweight.

Next came all of the makings for a #DisneySide party. I invited over some moms and their kiddos to help us all get more in touch with our #DisneySide and we had such a blast. We played Disney Bingo and I used the HP Photo cards provided to make the Bingo prizes. The winners received a Starbucks gift card, which I was able to print during the party using the 2 Smiles service. 2 Smiles enables you to purchase and print a gift card from home. You can pick from many top brands including Starbucks, Amazon, AMC Theatres and more. HP has a #DisneySide collection too…which makes it easy to customize Disney-themed invites and cards.

Next came the Minnie Manicures which were a total hit. I bought red, black, white and silver nail polishes (about $3 each at Walmart). The tweens and teens LOVED doing nails. To make the details on the Minnie Ears, purchase a few small paintbrushes in the craft section at Walmart or at a Michaels. You can clean them with nail polish remover. If you want to splurge, you can buy “nail art” pens at a Sally’s Beauty Supply or similar store, but I found that the tiny paintbrushes work just as well and are cheaper.

Last, we decorated t-shirts. Hanes provided the t-shirts and fabric markers in the #DisneySide box. The kids loved decorating the shirts and it was such a fun activity. I’m attaching a photo of my favorite– a Mickey/Mamanista shirt. I can’t take credit for the shirt though! Grace (http://blackbeltoma.blogspot.com/) made it for me.

]]>2Debbiehttp://mamanista.comhttp://www.mamanista.com/?p=96302014-01-23T23:13:06Z2014-01-23T23:13:06ZMuggles, get your engines started for the drive (or flight) down to Orlando. I had the privilege of viewing the highly anticipated webcast announcement of the details surrounding the Harry Potter World Expansion in Universal Studios, and wow there’s so many new and exciting things they are bringing to an already enthralling theme park!

Set to open sometime this summer, Universal Studios creative team presented quite a few details on the expansion project and had three very special guests on hand to help: James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Matt Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood).

The brand new Diagon Alley at Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter

In just a 30 minute webcast, there were so many details I couldn’t get them all down fast enough! So I am including a great break down of the expansion project and details here courtesy of Bay News 9:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will give visitors the opportunity to:

Board the Hogwarts Express and journey between London’s King’s Cross Station (located in Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade Station (located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure). The journey will be filled with views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission is required.

Experience a groundbreaking new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which will place riders in the middle of an incredible adventure as they navigate their way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults

Witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops

Discover the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley, the darkest of dark places that features Borgin and Burkes – a shop specializing in the Dark Arts that will offer a wide variety of Dark objects, such as Death Eater masks, skulls, and other sinister items

Explore some of Diagon Alley’s famous shops, including:

o Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a vibrant shop featuring novelty items, magical jokes, and toys inspired by the books and films that will amaze the mischievous child in everyone
o Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where guests will find a variety of wizardwear from Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes
o Magical Menagerie, which features a collection of plush animals, such as owls and Hippogriffs
o Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where guests can grab wizarding essentials such as telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses
o Quality Quidditch Supplies, offering a wide assortment of apparel and equipment including Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats, Quaffles and more
o Scribbulus, featuring authentic writing implements and products such as feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards

Enjoy traditional British fare that includes favorite dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash and more at the Leaky Cauldron

Visit Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour for frozen treats in a variety of tantalizing and unique flavors such as strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice-cream and many others

More details about the unique experiences that can be found in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time. For more information about the area, visit Universal’s website.